My Proposal to ShaMa Foundation

This is my sincere request to ShaMa Foundation on 16th, April 2019 which I made for my school and students. I am hoping for the positive reply from the foundation soon or within a few hours as stated. 

Respected Sir or Madam,

With due respect, I Sancha Bdr. Rai, (teacher) would like to sincerely request your foundation for some urgent help. Since, over the years, I have devotedly followed various social service work and programs initiated by ShaMa Foundation. I have learned of different lives and communities that are changed and benefitted by your kind and commendable activities. Therefore, I found your foundation to be an ideal source to seek help.

To state some backgrounds of the school –Zhemgang Central School was established in the year 1958 and has been functioning as one of the great learning institutions which lies in the central part of Bhutan. According to the population and housing report 2008 and 2018, Zhemgang is still one of the most remote and economically backward districts in the country. Further, the place has had a perennial water shortage problem for so long. 

Therefore, school has some urgent need for some Water Storage Tanks since school restrooms/toilets lack running water facilities. School gets water only twice a day for one hour (i.e. morning and evening) which is not at all sufficient to meet our daily demand. Therefore, it is extremely becoming difficult to maintain good sanitation and a healthy lifestyle for all the students. The other is the Sanitary Napkin Disposal Unit/Can for our female students, which I found is equally important and necessary for maintaining good sanitation.

Although we have a very clear law which states equal rights for clean water and sanitation or access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all, due to lack of funds, schools have failed on several occasions to procure these items. 

Therefore, school administration has observed that there was a serious health related impact on younger students who were more prone to sanitation and hygiene related infections, causing frequent sickness and thereby increase in the case of absentees from school, which hampers their daily learning. 

The following is the information about Zhemgang Central School, Zhemgang. 

Staff		Students
Male	Female	Boys	Girls
25	19	243	246

The following are the items proposed from your foundation. 

	Item/s	Quantity required
1	Water Storage Tank (Polythene Tank) (1,000-1,500) Litres	4 numbers
2	Sanitary Napkin Disposal Unit/Can (Girls)	6 numbers

Therefore, school would remain obliged if your generous foundation would help us in the proposed items. We are looking forward for the positive reply from your foundation. 

Thank you

Photography More Than a Club –III

So, here comes the next lesson on Genre of Photography.

Sport photography

This category involves getting up-close to the action in a very fast-paced and action-packed setting. Usually, sports events are captured with very long lens. As one chooses to freeze the movement, always remember to use a high ISO value, which would enable the use of faster shutter speed. Faster the shutter speed, more and better the image. 

Street Photography

It's one of my favorite genre.

Street photography is all about capturing ordinary everyday life in public spaces or life as it happens around the city, or town, etc…, It involves the real-life scenes coupled with some other scene behind.

Food photography

A very popular type of photography one can see around that are used mostly by restaurants, websites or bloggers to cajole customers to try and sell their products.

While doing this genre of photography, one must always remember to use natural light. Since, many unwanted elements get captured with Flash Light. Which might destroy the natural flavor and the texture of the food items.

Fashion photography

With change in time, this type of photography is not only becoming very popular among youth but also with adulthood's. It is typically used to sell something, to lures customers by glamorizing the product. One need to be very creative, as the image should visually needed to be very interesting, fascinating, and captivating.

Remember, the location, makeup, lighting, and the model play a very substantial role. Therefore, fashion photographer should always prepare in advance.

Aerial photography

This type of photography not only includes taking the landscape or city scene below from very high places like airplane, etc…, but it can also include from high buildings, trees, towers, mountains, hills, etc…,

Night photography

Source: google

It is not as easy as one finds it. Although, it is great way to document how the world transforms after dark, but it is extremely difficult to get a good and quality photograph.

Since, this type of photography is all about the proper use light, shutter speed and aperture. Remember, only good combination of these three elements can give a good and pleasing image. This type of photos perhaps is more interesting as the viewer gets to see some unusual aspects that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

Thank You Very Much for Your Time and Energy! 

Our Everyday Problem

I can see problems everywhere, and every day, and with everybody. Zhemgang has an unsettled drinking water shortage. Thimphu is crowded with our own people. Phuntsholing, hub to highly polluted air. And Gelephu the Land of Elephants. However, the common problems of ours are – toilets, our waste, poor time management habits, and water shortage, etc…,

Everywhere, every day, and with everyone.

How can we solve this puzzle of ours? Do we need to hire some foreign brains to solve this simple matrix? How long shall we keep our volunteer service alive or go on?

Where are we actually failing –education system or policy level or poor mindset of our people?

I feel GNH country should not behave in such a rude manner. Sometimes, I pity myself as a deep Buddhist practitioner and a follower. Our time is now. We all must act now. We can. Our population is still manageable. If not now, we can never in near future?

First is our Public Toilet/Mass Toilet. "Everyone's property becomes nobody's property." Lately, I have been engaged in a pool of quite unusual Toilet Business. I jokingly told some of the students that our toilet pots have turned into a great antique now. Further, it was very sad to see most of the toilet doors in very bad conditions, completely destroyed. With such conditions, our toilet looks like Ghost. Looks like it was abandoned for a thousand years. Looks like some pigs have used it.

What a shame?

Perhaps, the water shortage was their blatant response. However, I suggested they make a habit of carrying water while making it to the toilet –be it a short or long toilet. Always Use Water! Such simple good habits can solve our toilet problem everywhere. I am happy since everybody promised to use water hereafter, everyone promised to cooperate –for whatever maybe the situation. Together we can. I concluded with –thank you very much!

Second is Our Waste. Despite special reminders and requests, we can still see all kinds of waste everywhere. Recently, I got a chance to share one small successful story of our own Greener Way. The renowned brand name in Thimphu City. However, we don’t feel as good as Karma Yonten feels for the waste. Someone's waste is someone's fortune, someone's money, someone's living, and someone's good luck. I told them –what it do to our environment? How to manage our own waste? How to make a good habit for it?

I am sure some felt for it and few unmoved for it.

Third is Poor Time Management Habits. Particularly, I found Bhutanese are very poor in managing time –be it office time or casual gatherings. Of late, I shared about good time management habits and its benefits. Simply, I want them to be punctual for work, or wherever.

I told them – "time stops for no one. Time waits for no one. And your excuses will never slow down time." It keeps going, and going, and going…!

I have been into the teaching service for seven years now, and the biggest challenge was that almost 99% of us come late for school and other activities. And no one bothers, and no one cares about it. Particularly, it is not good for educational institutions. I don't know the reason, why? However, in my case it is a little different, with my chest wide open, I told them for these many years, I have never come late for school and to other works. Further, as a student and a college student, I have never been late for any activities. Not even a minute late. How? How did I manage to do this simple task? It's very simple. I don't follow time. I do everything on or before time. Before I go to bed, I mentally prepare what to do the next day based on priority –first thing first! Next morning, I wake-up and prepare myself for the day's work.

I have my study duty on Thursday Morning which commences from 6:20am (for 1 hour). I make on time there as well. So, how? I wake-up at 5:50am and prepare myself.

Further, everyday my duty starts from 8:10am. So, how do I manage? I set priority –first thing first! I prepare for the day accordingly. Thus, there is no question of late for my work. It's all about how you take things, and manage things. Being positive to oneself is very important. Being honest to oneself is very important for a successful and happy life. For me, there is no question of this and that excuses someone coming late for their work. I must tell you, coming 10-15 minutes early for your work would ease you and your work. Your day will become beautiful and you will enjoy your work life immensely. There is no harm in coming few minutes early to your work. Remember, your work is lifeline!

Therefore, to make it better and reliable, I have narrated what had happened recently with "Japan's Olympics Minister. He was forced to apologize for being THREE minutes late to the meeting." Can you imagine, it's just 3 minutes late. Here we don't mind coming late for 1 hour, 2 hours and 3 hours...

In Japan, being unpunctual is a crime and it's a sign of disrespect to other people.

We need the same here. We need a law that protects people who work on time. This simple rule of life can make everyone happy. It can solve toilet problems, waste problems, time problems and even water problems. All we need is good life discipline.

Photography More Than a Club –II

We are into the third week of the normal club business. I have quoted "I am not afraid of death, but I am in no hurry to die. I have so much I want to do first." By Great Stephen Hawking.  

As I have introduced them to the genre of photography. I told them the background of it and helped them define as widely as possible.

Landscape photography

To make it better and easy to learn, I have put four different images and let them think for a few seconds individually or in pairs or in which way they feel most comfortable. 

As I went deep into the content, I told them it is one of the most popular types of photography, as it portrays a scenery and even shows the impact of environmental change. One can see such images everywhere and everyday. However, I told them there is also a good future scope for landscape photography and running a smart printing shop, and becoming the next Bill Gates. 

Portrait photography

The second type on the slide was the portrait photography. Similarly, to make it better and easy, I have included few quality images and asked them to reflect upon, if they have seen such images around the school campus, or in their home or other places like town and Monasteries etc...,

I told them capturing peoples' moods and expressions is an intriguing subject for any photographer. It can be close-up images, body portraits etc...,

While taking a portrait, the photographer should ensure that the subject's face is sharp and focused, especially his or her eyes.

Wildlife photography

White Wagtail

Indian Pond Heron

Well, the third on my slide was the wildlife photography. I went steadfast with the content since the title itself is simple, clear and easy. This genre of photography basically documents various forms of wildlife in their natural habitat (birds, animals, etc…,)

It is a very challenging type of photography, as it might be difficult to capture animals in their natural habitat.

Equally, I warned them, this genre requires extremely good and sharp technical skills and it needs to be planned accordingly. Otherwise, it can be a big waste of time and energy. Because, I don't want them to be eaten-up by bears and other wild animals. 

In wildlife photography, one has to be absolutely comfortable with the camera settings. 

Thank you and have a good night dream! 

                                           ...,to be continued!

Plastic Carry Bags Gift to My Mother

With the ban on plastic carry bags starting from April fool's day, let me share my little story.  

 

–As a young and responsible citizen, I never have thrown my waste carelessly. As long as I can remember, I have never dumped any plastic related waste out into the environment, –not even a paper, or a sweets wrapper. I am so addicted to this habit. I feel really bad, or kind of uncomfortable when I see anyone throwing waste openly and irresponsibly. Sometimes, I feel so sorry for their loose character. 

 

The other habit I have is – perhaps I carry my own bag during weekend shopping. Any plastic that I bring home never goes out into my bin. I collect all of them and take them when I go home. I called it a plastic gift to my mom. I told my mom; I was able to bring home so many plastic carry bags as a gift for you. Since I saw her having a difficult time especially when she needed to store some edible items and while packing things back to us. Some it goes to my other siblings and few to relatives, but I caution them. Please, use it and dump it properly!

 

Although it is such a small act yet a promising habit that is enough to protect our Mother Nature and put end to many diseases. For this action we need a collective hand and not the law when almost everything comes in plastic packaging. 

 

In 2015, the United States succeeded in reducing plastic and micro-beads usage. Similarly, few other countries took the challenge and they succeeded too. 

 

It's our turn now. Let us also try this national move and feel the change. Let's be the agent of change and holder of this nation.

 

Let's love our actions and love our country hingleyra!

Photography More Than a Club

Unlike past years, clubs (in ZCS) are scheduled to happen only twice a month on alternative basis to be more effective and less tiring. Nonetheless, the first week was already used for the formation of different clubs.

It was the second week – I formally welcomed all my club members and I have sincerely thanked them for choosing the photography club.

I equanimously briefed them about photography, the mandates and few objectives. Nevertheless, I told them what it takes to be a photographer. I have equally warned them that it's not easy as you see someone with an expensive camera in front of you or in the crowd. As one delves into the world of photography, it takes one's passion, dedication, commitment and sacrifice. However, for me time and money have hooked me to pursue my wildlife photography dream bigly. Nonetheless, I have never stopped honing my skills for someday.

To make photography better and lively, I have added some piquancy – "Photography is a rich man's hobby". However, money is not everything. One can always use a simple camera. And today with advanced technology mobile phones are equally good and powerful tools that can serve the purpose of taking any kind of images. In fact, it became more easy and friendly for not having to carry an expensive camera everywhere. All it requires is a few basics of photography.

I told them the power of photography does not always lie with the expensive DSLR cameras that someone carries. It all depends on how you frame the image, to your creativity, unsurpassable sacrifice, to your enthusiasm.

I have reminded them that with change in time, photography has become an extremely important medium of communication, it helps to document one's professional life. In fact, photography is becoming more than a way of life. I hope I am not doing –dog eat dog world star by saying all these stuffs. But I am simply trying to help them for their life.

” Dog Eat Dog World Star

I have stressed light! As one understands more on light, photography becomes easy, engaging, attractive and appealing.  

I told them I can connect myself very well with nature through photography. I can share my innate feelings for nature through the images that I take on a daily basis. To me going out and capturing different images have helped me immensely relieve my tension and rebuild my mood. I always keep my image simple. Because good photographs help speak your heart.

I told them there are endless opportunities not only in our country but also around the world – but one must be creative, must work extra miles with dedication and must remain focused in the field.

I have promised them so many beautiful dreams about the photography world. I vowed them I would teach them all the fundamentals of photography (both technical and practical aspects) as we go deep with the photography lessons.

If or should everything go as planned, all of them won't regret being in the club. The club plan is quite ambitious and engaging. It basically focuses more on skill based learning – creativity, team work, communication and sacrifice, etc, ...

I leave here with the old cliché by Steve McCurry that goes, "I think life is too short not to be doing something which you really believe in".

Nutritious Food for School Children???

BBS News dated 12th March was brilliant but not exciting, nothing new –Government to focus nutritious diet in schools. What are our school children eating so far? –rock –paper, and –scissor.

I would like to point down a few observations regarding this and our governments pledges. In the world deluged by self-driven motives, money and fame are excessively becoming powerful. Therefore, I can summarize a very nutritious diet menu into four factors that can solve long standing puzzles of ours.

Pledge Factor –

Of Course, the government can work to fulfill their pledges. But more than a pledge they must also look at the ground reality. Government must genuinely study the existing system before making it national. For kind information every boarding school has already a balanced diet menu and some even have better and sufficient menus than our individual homes. 

Stipend Factor –

Money alone can't solve this equation. I feel Nu. 1000.00 to Nu. 1500.00 or little more per student per month is a good sum. One can easily manage a very good balanced diet menu with Nu. 1000.00 in mass. Increasing stipend without planning is a loss in itself. Let's cook the mouthwatering menu to our children and not from the prime minister's desk. Most of the schools across the country have already very good nutritious menus --eggs, meats/fish, butter, fruits, Yogurt, milk, lentils, green vegetables, chilli, chickpeas etc etc... What more? We only need proper and transparent management in the kitchen to suppliers. 

Way forward –let us also implement some good food habits in our kids. I feel every meal shouldn't be Rice-Rice-Rice.

Cook Factor –

The biggest challenges I can see in our schools is with cooks. What if government employees trained, genuine and educated cooks? Government can look out for a better pay package for our cooks so that the right menu with quality food can reach our children. The other most important issue our cooks face today is the housing problem. Most of them either build their own hurt or rent low quality houses which makes them morally low. All we need is to provide them with a better working environment. That would bring more work proficient, a sense of belongingness and better work ethics. We all must also know that everything (right menu) starts from them (cooks).

Working condition Factor –

If we want quality food to reach to our children, we must also look for better working conditions. What if we can replace the old oven with modern gears –Rice Cooker. Rice cooker is more environment friendly, safe and easy to use. It also saves time and energy. 

Way forward –some workable engineers, please think for modern kitchen with a proper water supply.

Why does a student have to go to the Agriculture ministry, when education has a separate division who looks after the school food and nutrition/feeding program? Instead of making it a more delicious menu, it would further escalate inconsistency and more problems.

If we want to see the change in our school kitchen, we need to change the mindset by making the cooking job more attractive, /some investment in our cooks. We need someone who can serve the nation with loyalty and to TSA-WA-SUM with honesty.